Go back

Genderless

design

Sean Sinko
Co-Founder
gaytimes.co.uk
Category
Fashion
Date
01.08.22
Traditionally, fashion week has been organized by gender - keeping menswear and womenswear separate. Since the first mixed-gendered runway show by Prada in 2017, the movement toward inclusive shows and collections has been prevalent.

Many believe that the industry’s movement away from rigid categories represents a larger societal shift embracing gender fluidity and its movement into the mainstream. Public figures such as Young Thug, Harry Styles, and Janelle Monae have contributed to conversations revolving around gender and fashion.

Non-gendered fashion shows and designs were one of the most prevalent trends in NYFW SS22 as designers such as Lanvin, Raf Simmons, and Valentino dressed all models in clothing that would have been considered “womenswear” six years ago.

Photos: Courtesy of Christoff Rumpf
Photos: Courtesy of Christoff Rumpf

For many the fluidity of the SS22 collections were not only thought provoking, but also helped viewers rewire previous subconscious bias relating to color, fabric, and clothing. Vanessa Friendman of the NY times states “ By the end of [the] season, it had become so common, it barely registered with me. I just saw clothes:”

So, what is next for the fashion industry? Will we cling to outdated traditions - or is it time to enter a new era - beyond the binary…